Two-hand control



June 8, 1943. B. J. YANcHENKo 2,321,171

TWO HAND CONTROL n Filed Jan. 19, 1942 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYSg SIL W June 8, 1943. B. J. YANcHENKo 2,321,171

TWO HAND CONTROL Filed Jan. 19, 1942 l 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR BASILJ. YAN HENKO ATTORNEYS Patented z,inne 8, 1943 TWO-HAND CONTROL Basil J.Yanchenko, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Prosperity Company, Inc.,Syracuse, N. Y.,

a corporation of New York Application January 19, 1942, Serial No.427,356

Claims.

This invention relates to two hand controls for controlling theactuation of a machine or an apparatus, the operation of which isdangerous to .the operator, and has forits object a two hand controlrequiring the operation of two manuals, particularly in unison, andholding them operated at least during the dangerous part of theoperating movement of the machine.

It further has for its object a pressure uid operated, as apneumatically operated, two hand control for controlling the ow ofmotive fluid to an operating .part of a machine, embodying a simple andeconomical means, whereby the actuating mechanism of the machine isimmediately disabled in the event one manual is released before themachine completes the dangerous portion of its operating movement, andalso whereby the machine is automatically inoperative in case one of themanuals is tied or fastened down, or whereby a machine cannot beoperated unless both manuals are operated in unison. g

It further has for its object the arrangement and features ofconstructions hereinafter pointed out.

The invention here illustrated is adapted for machines, as punchpresses, wherein a head makes a complete reciprocation, that is, a downand up stroke, upon each operation, and the object is to preventrepeated operations, unless both manuals are operated by the operator inunison for each operation.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations andconstructions here` inafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invenon, reference is had .to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the general arrangement ofthis two hand control. f

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the master valve,contiguous parts of the c ontrol system being also shown and the valvemember or plunger being shown in its nor- Y mal or balanced position.

gf'. Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the position of thevalve member or plunger when in angunbalanced position, or when in oneof the positions it assumes when one manual is operated in advance ofthe other, or when one manual is tied down. A

The invention is here illustrated as controlling the flow of motivenuid, as compressed air, to

a fluid operated motor forming part of the machine, and hence thiscontrol includes valves, as the power to be controlled is a pressurefluid.

This two hand control includes a master valve provided with a .pair ofinlets for a pressure uid, as compressed air, an outlet to the motor tobe served with pressure fluid, which motor is part of the actuatingmechanism or control for the actuating mechanism of a machine, as forinstance, a punch press, a movablev valve member in the casing normallylocated, so that both the inlets and the outlet are open, the movablemember of the master valve being operable to close either inlet and theoutlet, by the pressure of the fluid entering the master valve throughthe other inlet only, and self-returning manualivalves for controllingthe ow of fluid to the inlets respectively, the master valve memberbeing held from shifting or -being balanced in normal position when bothmanual valves lare operated in unison and the pressure 'on opposite isides of the movable member of the master valve is equal. It furtherincludes exhaust valves communicating with the outlet, one for eachmanual valve, the exhaust valves being held closed by the fluid pressurepassing through the manual valves when the latter are operated and beingopen to exhaust the air from the outlet, and the motor being served, bythe greater pressure in the outlet than the pressure controlled by themanual valves when either manual valve is released.

More specifically, the two hand control here illustrated includes amaster valve having a movable, normally-balanced valve member andopposing inlets for a motive fluid, and an outlet, the valve memberbeing normally balanced between the inlets, and when in this position,both inletsare open and also the outlet leading to the pressure operatedmotor of the machine to be operated is also open, this valve memberbeing shiftable to close the outlet and either inlet when uid issupplied to the 'other inlet only, and individually operable manualvalves controlling the flow of fluid to the inlet. The two hand controlfurther includes check valve controlled passages connected to theconduits leading to the inlets and controlled by the manual valves andcommunicating with the outlet, the check valves being arranged toprevent fluid pressure flowing past the same into the outlet, butpermitting the exhaust of fluid from the outlet Whenever the pressure inthe outlet is greater than the pressure behind the check valve, 'as whenone of the manual valves is released after both manuals have beenoperated, and the machineds started on its operating movement. Themaster valve here shown is o-f the sliding valve or plunger type.

designates, generally, the master valve. This includes a tubular casing2 having a movable valve member, as a sliding plunger 3 therein, thecasing 2 being provided with inlet ports at its opposite ends, thesebeing shown as provided in removable heads 4, 5 at the ends of thecasing 2. The heads are here shown as plugs threading in opposite endsof the casing 2. Ihe casing is also formed with an outlet port 6 whichcommunicates through pipe 1 with a pressure operated motor, it beinghere shown as connected to one end of the cylinder 6 having a piston 9therein, the rod I of which is connected to any suitable part of themachine to be operated. The movable member or plunger 3 is normallybalanced in an intermediate position with its opposite ends spaced fromthe inlet ports in the heads 4, 5, so that said ports are open and whenin this balanced position, the outlet 6 is also open. The plunger islocated in its intermediate or balanced position by suitable springs IItherein interposed between the heads 4, andfthe opposing ends of theplunger 3. The plunger is provided with valve heads I2 at its oppositeends which are movable into position to close one or the other `of theports in the heads 4, 5 when the plunger is moved out of its balancedposition. The plunger 3 is here shown as tubular or hollow and as havingheads or plugs I3 at its opposite ends forming a chamber I4 within theplunger, the heads being formed with axial or lengthwise passages I5therethrough which open at their outer ends through radial passages I6into the ends of the valve casing 2, these ports being located at thebases of the valve-heads I2, I3. The ports |5 are normally closed byvalve heads I1 pressed against the inner ends of the ports by a springI8 common to both valve heads. The plunger or slide 3 is provided with acircumferential or peripheral passage I9 which communicates with theinternal chamber |4 of the plunger through radial ports 20, theperipheral passage I9 normally registering with the outlet 6 when theplunger or slide is in its intermediate balanced position and moving outof register therewith to cut oft the outlet 6, as seen in Figure 3, whenthe plunger or'slide 3 is moved out of vits intermediate or balancedposition. The slide or `plunger 3 is also provided with additionalperipheral or circumferential passages 2|, 22 spaced apart in an axialdirection on opposite sides of the passage I3, these being located tocome into register with release passages 23, 24 in the casing 2 when theplunger or slide is out of balanced position in one direction or theother, as seen in I Figure 3. These passages 2|, 22 and releaseopenings23, 24 are for the purpose of trapping and releasing any airpressure that might pass around the plunger from one end to the other,when the plunger is in an unbalanced position. The pressure area of thevalve heads l2 is less than the pressure area of the entire end of theplunger and the pressure area of the valve heads I1.

25 and 26 designate respectively right and left manual control valvesconnected in multiple in a fluid supply. system and also connected tothe inlets respectively of the master/ valve. These valves are "of thetwo-way or of the combined intake and exhaust type. Each of the valves25. 26, as here shown, includes a suitable casing having a movable valvemember 21 therein providedy with a normally closed intake valve head 28and a normally open exhaust valve head 29, the valve Upon the operationof both manuals or push buttons 3|, 32, in unison, air will pass throughboth valves 25, 26, both branches 36, 31 into opposite ends of thecasing 3 of the master valve, and hence the master valve will remain inbalanced position, so that the air will pass through the radial ports I6in the heads of the plunger 3 through both axial passages 4I5 in theheads of the plunger and unseat the valves I1, so that the air will passinto the internal chamber |4 of the plunger out through the radial ports20 into the peripheral passage I9 which is in register With the outletport 6, then through the outlet port 6 and pipe 1 to the cylinder 8 andactuate the piston therein. When the manuals are released, the air willexhaust back through the pipe 1 to the outer air through the manualvalves 25, 26 or the valves that have been released, as will now bedescribed.

The exhaust of air from the cylinder 6, when either or both manualvalves are released or returned to normal position, is effected throughright and left passages communicating with the outlet port 6 of themaster valve, and as here shown, the casing or body 2 of the mastervalve is formed with passages 40, 4| and spring-pressed check valves 42therein, these branches being vconnected by suitable conduits A43, 44 tothe branches 36, 31 respectively which are controlled by the valves 25,26. 'Ihe check valves are so arranged as to be held against their seatsby springs when the pressure is equal in the outlet 6 of the mastervalve and in the conduits 36, 31 and to be moved individually from theirseats when the pressure is greater in the outlet 6 and pipe 1 than inthe branches 36, 31, as would be the case when either or both manualvalves 25, 26 is released, so that the air can exhaust to either or bothexhaust passages 36, 39 of the valves 25, 26.

In the normal\operation, upon the simultaneous operation of both manuals3|, 32, air will pass from the feed line 35,'through the pipes 33, 34,valves ,25, 26, branches 36, 31 and into the inlets and at opposite endsof the master valve casing 2 through the ports |6 and I5 into thecentral chamber |4 of the plunger 3, thence out through the radialpassage 20 and peripheral passage 3 through the outlet port 6 and pipe 1tothe cylinder 8 to actuate the piston therein. The air will also passfrom the branches 36, 31 through the pipes 33, 34 and hold the checkvalves 42 against their seats, preventing the exhaust of air from thecylinder or from the port 6. Assume that the left hand manual 32 isreleased and the right hand manual 3| still held operated, then the airis free to exhaust from the left end of 4the master valve casing 2 andalso back through the pipe 44, this causing the plunger 3 to move to theunbalanced position shown in Figure 3, and also permits the check valve42 in the left hand passage 4| to be unseated by the greater pressure inthe pipe 1 'and port 6, and hence toexhaust' back through the port 44'and'branch 31, valve 26 -to the outerair through the exhaust passage 39of the valve 26. The same `action takes place, lfthe right hand pushbutton or manual 3l only is released, except that the plunger 3 shiftsto the right end of the mastervalve casing 2 and the check valve in the`right passage 3l opens to the exhaust of air through the righthandbranch 36 and right hand manual 25. Thus, when either manual valveis released, the cylinder and piston motor 8, 9 is disabled. The sameexhaust action takes place through 'both valves 25, 26 when both manualsare released simultaneously, except that, of course, the plunger 3remains in its balanced position. When one manual is released, theplunger moves into an unbalanced position, as described, and it returnsto balanced position when the other manual is released, it beingreturned by the balancing springs I I.

An analogous operation or action takes place when an attempt is made tooperate the machine by operating one manual ahead of the other or intying down one manual; as for instance, assume that only the right handmanual 3l is operated, and hence only the valve 25 opened to the flow ofair. The air then passes from the feed line 35, pipe 33, throughoperated valve 25, branch conduit 36, through the inlet port in theright head 4 of the master valve 2, acts on the plunger 3 and shifts itto the left into the position shown in Figure 3, closing the inlet portin the left hand head 5 of the master valve casing 2. In so shifting,the outlet port 6 is cut off or closed by the fact that thecircumferential passage I9 moves out of register with the port 6. Also,one of the peripheral passages or grooves 2l is moved into register withthe release port 23 to release any air tending to pass around theplunger 3. A similar action takes place, if only the left hand manual 32is operated, except that the plunger 3 moves to the right end of themaster valve casing 2.

If, after one of the manuals, as 3|, has only been operated, and theplunger 3- moved toward unbalanced position shown in Figure 3, theoperator then operates the left end manual 32, and the plunger willstill remain in unbalanced position, as the pressure area of the airthrough the port ln the left end head 5 of the master valve casing 2 isconsiderably less than the elective pressure area of the plunger at theright end of the plunger subject to the air pressure through the inletport in the right end head. The additional compression of the spring I ldoes not overcome the predominating pressure through the port in theright hand head 4. The action is the same in case the left hand manual32 is first operated, so that the plunger shifts to the right end of themaster valve easing.

What I claim ls:

1. A two hand control including a master valve having a movable valvemember, opposing inlets for motive fluid, and an outlet, the valvemember having heads for closing the inlets respectively and beingnormally arranged so that the inlets and the outlet are open, and beingshiftable to close the outlet and either inlet when fluid is supplied tothe other inlet only, a supply line having branches to the inletsrespectively, and individually operable manual valves in said branches,the manual valves being of the combined intake and exhaust type andnormally arranged so that their intakes are closed and the exhaust open,

an'dtconduits connecting the V,branches between the manual valves andthe master-fvalve,"fand the outlet=of the master valve, the conduitshaving check valves therein -operable to exhaust the fluid fromtheoutlet-when either of the manual valves is in its normal position. 1

' 2.v A two hand control including a. master valve, a plunger slidablethereln,'the master valve having inletslforI a motive fluid onoppositeends of the plunger, the plunger having heads at its opposite endsnormally spaced'from th-inletsand movable to close said inletsrespectively, and being shiftable to`v close the outletland either inletwhen' motive fluid issupplied to themaster valve through the otherinlet'only, a supply line having branches to the inlets respectively,and individually operable manual valves in said branches, the manualvalves being of the combined intake and exhaust type and normallyarranged with their intakes closed and the exhaust open, conduitsconnecting the branches between the manual valves and the inlets of themaster valve, and the outlet of the master valve, said conduits havingcheck valves therein operable to exhaust the outlet of the master valvewhen either of the manual valves is in its normal position.

3. A two hand control including a master valve having a. movable valvemember, opposing inlets for motive fluid, and an outlet, the valvemember having means for closing the inlets respectively, said valvemember being normally arranged so that the inlets and outlet are open,and shiftable to close the outlet and either inlet when fluid issupplied to the other inlet only, a supply line having branches to theinlets respectively, and individually operable manual valves in saidbranches, the manual valves being of the combined intake and exhausttype and normally arranged so that their intakes are closed and theexhaust open, and conduits connecting the branches between the manualvalves and the master valve, and the outlet of the master valve, theconduits having check valves therein operable to exhaust the outlet wheneither of the manual valves is in its normal position, the master valvehaving release outlets closed by its movable valve member when the sameis in normal position, and opened by the movement of the valve memberout of normal position to exhaust air from the control valve when thecontrol valve member is out of its normal position.

42 A two hand control including a master valve having a casing providedwith a pair of inlets for a pressure fluid, an outlet to a part to beserved with a pressure fluid, a movable valve member normally located sothat both the inlets and the outlet are open, self-returning manuallyoperated control valves of the combined intake and exhaust typeconnected to the inlets respectively, and each including a movablemember normally arranged to close the manual valve to the inlet ofmotive fluid and to exhaust the motive fluid therefrom, the movablemember of the master valve being operable to close either inlet and theoutlet by the pressure of the fluid entering the master valve throughsaid other inlet, when the manual valve only controlling the other inletis operated out of normal position, and being held from shiftingmovement when both manual valves are operated in unison and the pressureon opposite sides of themovable member of the master valve is equal.

5. A two hand control including a master valve having a casing providedwith a pair of inlets for a pressure fluid, an outlet to a part to beserved `manual valve only controlling the other inlet is operated out ofnormal position, and being held from shifting movement when both manualvalves are operated in unison and the pressure on opposite sides of themovable member of the master valve is equal, and exhaust outlets incommunication with the outlet of the master valve and controlled by themanual valves respectively and also held from opening movement by thepressure of the iluid passing through the manual valves respectivelywhen the latter are operated trom their normal position to permit theflow of fluid to the master valve, said exhaust valves being operable toopen position by the higher pressure in the outlet of the master valvewhen either oi the manual valves returns to its normal position afterboth manual valves have been operated in unison.

BASIL J. YANCHENKO.

